Paris Hospitals Secure Evidence of Sexual Violence for Three Years Without Immediate Complaint

A new initiative allows victims to preserve crucial evidence while deciding whether to pursue legal action.

Paris hospitals, in collaboration with legal authorities, have implemented a system to collect and preserve evidence of sexual violence for up to three years, even if victims do not immediately file a complaint.
The program, initially tested in 2023, aims to support victims by providing them time to reflect on their decision to pursue legal action while ensuring evidence is available if they choose to proceed.
Victims can receive immediate medical care and psychological support, with evidence collected by forensic doctors in medico-judicial units.
Since the start of the program, 22 victims utilized the service in 2023, and 16 more have accessed it in the first nine months of 2024, with several eventually deciding to file complaints.
The initiative is set to expand beyond Paris, with plans to implement similar systems in other hospitals across the Île-de-France region.